Multiplying Elements of Fragmentation? Polycentrism, the launcher crisis and the future of Europe in space

This article explores the current controversies surrounding the European Ariane launcher and its implications for the future of European space governance. The Ariane program, historically a symbol of European technopolitical integration, faces mounting challenges due to delays, rising costs and increasing competition from private actors like SpaceX. These tensions have led to debates on the future of European space policy, particularly the balance between integration and fragmentation in a rapidly changing space landscape. The article examines two recent moments in European space governance, the Launcher Crisis between 2022 and 2023 and the subsequent European Launcher Challenge (ELC), which encourages competition among national companies to develop launch services, aiming to enhance Europe's strategic autonomy in space. We discuss how technopolitical decisions related to the launching sector reflect broader visions of European integration and geopolitical ambitions. Building on work from International Relations (IR) and Science & Technology Studies (STS) and drawing on empirical findings from 25 interviews, we argue that while the embrace of competition and commercialisation offers potential for innovation, it also raises concerns about the risk of undermining Europe's collective strength in the global space race. The article concludes with reflections on the future of European space governance amidst these challenges